U.S. patent application number 16/926170 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-04 for flexible negotiation of parameters in setup exchanges for wireless communication sessions.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Alfred ASTERJADHI, George CHERIAN, Sandip HOMCHAUDHURI, Srinivas KATAR, Abhishek Pramod PATIL, Yongchun XIAO.
Application Number | 20210068008 16/926170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004968802 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-04 |
![](/patent/app/20210068008/US20210068008A1-20210304-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068008/US20210068008A1-20210304-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068008/US20210068008A1-20210304-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068008/US20210068008A1-20210304-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068008/US20210068008A1-20210304-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068008/US20210068008A1-20210304-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068008/US20210068008A1-20210304-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068008/US20210068008A1-20210304-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20210068008/US20210068008A1-20210304-D00008.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20210068008 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ASTERJADHI; Alfred ; et
al. |
March 4, 2021 |
FLEXIBLE NEGOTIATION OF PARAMETERS IN SETUP EXCHANGES FOR WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION SESSIONS
Abstract
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques
that may allow a device participating in a setup procedure to
efficiently propose a range of values for a negotiated parameter.
The techniques may reduce setup time, for example, allowing a
responder to accept a value within the proposed range which may
eliminate overhead associated with some of the back and forth
message exchange of typical negotiations.
Inventors: |
ASTERJADHI; Alfred; (San
Diego, CA) ; CHERIAN; George; (San Diego, CA)
; PATIL; Abhishek Pramod; (San Diego, CA) ; XIAO;
Yongchun; (San Jose, CA) ; KATAR; Srinivas;
(Fremont, CA) ; HOMCHAUDHURI; Sandip; (San Jose,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004968802 |
Appl. No.: |
16/926170 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62893147 |
Aug 28, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 76/10 20180201;
H04W 52/0216 20130101; H04W 28/18 20130101; H04W 28/06 20130101;
H04W 72/0446 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 28/18 20060101
H04W028/18; H04W 28/06 20060101 H04W028/06; H04W 52/02 20060101
H04W052/02; H04W 76/10 20060101 H04W076/10; H04W 72/04 20060101
H04W072/04 |
Claims
1. A method for wireless communications by a first wireless node,
comprising: generating a first frame with at least first and second
elements that each include at least a first field that corresponds
to a first parameter being negotiated by the first wireless node
with a second wireless node for a first communication session;
indicating a first range of values for the first parameter by
setting the first field to a first value in the first element and
setting the first field to a second value in the second element;
and outputting the first frame for transmission to the second
wireless node.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein: each of the first and second
elements includes at least a second parameter being negotiated by
the first wireless node with the second wireless node.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: indicating a second
range of values for the second parameter by setting the second
parameter to a first value in the first element and setting the
second parameter to a second value in the second element.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: indicating a
non-negotiable value for the second parameter by setting the second
parameter to a same value in both the first and second
elements.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining information
regarding one or more ranges for the first parameter supported by
the second wireless node; and selecting the first range of values
based on the information.
6. A method for wireless communications by a first wireless node,
comprising: obtaining, from a second wireless node, a first frame
with at least first and second elements that each include at least
a first field corresponding to at least a first parameter being
negotiated by the first wireless node with the second wireless node
for a first communication session; determining a first range of
values proposed by the first wireless node for the first parameter
based on a first value of the first field in the first element and
a second value of the first field in the second element; generating
a second frame that indicates: an accepted value for the first
parameter selected from within the first range, a range of values
proposed by the second wireless node for the first parameter, or a
proposed value for the first parameter that is outside of the first
range; and outputting the second frame for transmission to the
second wireless node.
7. An apparatus for wireless communications by a first wireless
node, comprising: a processing system configured to: generate a
first frame with at least first and second elements that each
include at least a first field that corresponds to a first
parameter being negotiated by the first wireless node with a second
wireless node for a first communication session; and indicate a
first range of values for the first parameter by setting the first
field to a first value in the first element and setting the first
field to a second value in the second element; and an interface
configured to output the first frame for transmission to the second
wireless node.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: each of the first and second
elements includes at least a second parameter being negotiated by
the first wireless node with the second wireless node.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processing system is
further configured to: indicate a second range of values for the
second parameter by setting the second parameter to a first value
in the first element and setting the second parameter to a second
value in the second element.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processing system is
further configured to: indicate a non-negotiable value for the
second parameter by setting the second parameter to a same value in
both the first and second elements.
11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the interface is further
configured to obtain information regarding one or more ranges for
the first parameter supported by the second wireless node; and the
processing system is further configured to select the first range
of values based on the information.
12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the interface is further
configured to obtain a second frame from the second wireless node,
the second frame indicating an accepted value for the first
parameter from within the first range; and the processing system is
further configured to participate in the first communication
session in accordance with the accepted value for the first
parameter.
13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the interface is further
configured to obtain a second frame from the second wireless node,
the second frame indicating a second range of values for the first
parameter, different from the first range; the processing system is
further configured to generate a third frame indicating an accepted
value for the first parameter from within the second range; the
interface is further configured to output the third frame for
transmission to the second wireless node; and the processing system
is further configured to participate in the first communication
session in accordance with the accepted value for the first
parameter.
14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the first frame comprises a
target wakeup time (TWT) setup frame; and the first and second
elements comprise TWT elements.
15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first and second elements
comprise one or more of: a TWT element, a TCLAS element, a TSPEC
element, a Power Capability element, a WUR Mode element, an OPS
element, an SST operation element, an SST element, or an EL
operation element.
16. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: each of the first and second
elements includes a first identifier (ID) identifying the first
communication session for which the first parameter is being
negotiated.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the first frame has at
least third and fourth elements that are of the same element type
as the first and second elements and include a second ID
identifying a second communication session for which the first
parameter is also being negotiated.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing system is
further configured to: indicate a second range of values for the
first parameter for the second communication session by setting the
first parameter to a third value in the third element and setting
the first parameter to a fourth value in the fourth element.
19. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a transmitter
configured to transmit the first frame to the second wireless node,
wherein the apparatus is configured as the first wireless node.
20. An apparatus for wireless communications by a first wireless
node, comprising: an interface configured to obtain, from a second
wireless node, a first frame with at least first and second
elements that each include at least a first field corresponding to
at least a first parameter being negotiated by the first wireless
node with the second wireless node for a first communication
session; and a processing system configured to: determine a first
range of values proposed by the first wireless node for the first
parameter based on a first value of the first field in the first
element and a second value of the first field in the second
element; and generate a second frame that indicates: an accepted
value for the first parameter selected from within the first range,
a range of values proposed by the second wireless node for the
first parameter, or a proposed value for the first parameter that
is outside of the first range, wherein: the interface is further
configured to output the second frame for transmission to the
second wireless node.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: each of the first and
second elements includes at least a second field for a second
parameter being negotiated by the first wireless node with the
second wireless node; and the processing system is further
configured to determine a second range of values proposed by the
first wireless node for the second parameter based on a first value
of the second field in the first element and a second value of the
second field in the second element, and wherein the second frame
also indicates an accepted value for the second parameter selected
from within the second range.
22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: each of the first and
second elements includes at least a second field for a second
parameter being negotiated by the first wireless node with the
second wireless node; and the second frame also indicates: a range
of values proposed by the second wireless node for the second
parameter, or a proposed value for the second parameter that is
outside of the second range.
23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: each of the first and
second elements includes at least a second field for a second
parameter being negotiated by the first wireless node with the
second wireless node; and the processing system is further
configured to determine a same value for the second field of both
the first and second elements and such same value is a
non-negotiable value for the second parameter; and the second frame
also indicates an indication of whether the non-negotiable value of
the second parameter is accepted or rejected.
24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: the processing system is
further configured to generate a broadcast frame with information
regarding one or more ranges for the first parameter supported by
the first wireless node; and the interface is further configured to
output the broadcast frame for transmission.
25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: the first frame comprises a
target wakeup time (TWT) setup frame; and the first and second
elements comprise TWT elements.
26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first and second
elements comprise one or more of: a TWT element, a TCLAS element, a
TSPEC element, a Power Capability element, a WUR Mode element, an
OPS element, an SST operation element, an SST element, or an EL
operation element.
27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: each of the first and
second elements includes a first identifier (ID) identifying the
first communication session for which the first parameter is being
negotiated.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein: the first frame has at
least third and fourth elements that are of the same element type
as the first and second elements and include a second ID
identifying a second communication session for which the first
parameter is also being negotiated.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, the processing system is further
configured to: determine a second range of values for the first
parameter for the second communication session based on a third
value for the first field in the third element and a fourth value
for the first field in the fourth element, and wherein the second
frame also indicates: an accepted value for the first parameter
selected from within the second range for the second communication
session, a range of values proposed by the second wireless node for
the first parameter for the second communication, or a proposed
value for the first parameter for the second communication session
that is outside of the first range.
30. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: a transmitter
configured to transmit the second frame to the second wireless
node, wherein the apparatus is configured as the first wireless
node.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119 to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/893,147, filed on Aug. 28, 2019, the contents of which are
incorporated herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
Field of Disclosure
[0002] Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate
to wireless communications and, more particularly, to techniques
for negotiating values for parameters in wireless communication
sessions.
Description of Related Art
[0003] Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to
provide various types of communication content such as voice,
video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems
may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication
with multiple users by sharing the available system resources
(e.g., time, frequency, and power). A wireless network, for example
a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as a Wi-Fi (i.e.,
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11)
network may include an access point (AP) that communicates with one
or more stations (STAs) or mobile devices. The AP may be coupled to
a network, such as the Internet, and may enable a mobile device to
communicate via the network (or communicate with other devices
coupled to the AP). A wireless device may communicate with a
network device bi-directionally. For example, in a WLAN, a STA may
communicate with an associated AP via downlink and uplink. The
downlink (or forward link) may refer to the communication link from
the AP to the STA, and the uplink (or reverse link) may refer to
the communication link from the STA to the AP.
SUMMARY
[0004] The systems, methods, and devices of the disclosure each
have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible
for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this
disclosure as expressed by the claims which follow, some features
will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion,
and particularly after reading the section entitled "Detailed
Description" one will understand how the features of this
disclosure provide advantages that include secure transmission of
video data between wireless nodes in a wireless network.
[0005] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method
of wireless communications by a first wireless node. The method
generally includes generating a first frame with at least first and
second elements that each include at least a first field that
corresponds to a first parameter being negotiated by the first
wireless node with a second wireless node for a first communication
session, indicating a first range of values for the first parameter
by setting the first field to a first value in the first element
and setting the first field to a second value in the second
element, and outputting the first frame for transmission to the
second wireless node.
[0006] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method
of wireless communications by a first wireless node. The method
generally includes obtaining, from a second wireless node, a first
frame with at least first and second elements that each include at
least a first field corresponding to at least a first parameter
being negotiated by the first wireless node with the second
wireless node for a first communication session, determining a
first range of values proposed by the first wireless node for the
first parameter based on a first value of the first field in the
first element and a second value of the first field in the second
element, generating a second frame that indicates: an accepted
value for the first parameter selected from within the first range,
a range of values proposed by the second wireless node for the
first parameter, or a proposed value for the first parameter that
is outside of the first range, and outputting the second frame for
transmission to the second wireless node.
[0007] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an
apparatus of wireless communications by a first wireless node. The
apparatus generally includes means for generating a first frame
with at least first and second elements that each include at least
a first field that corresponds to a first parameter being
negotiated by the first wireless node with a second wireless node
for a first communication session; means for indicating a first
range of values for the first parameter by setting the first field
to a first value in the first element and setting the first field
to a second value in the second element; and means for outputting
the first frame for transmission to the second wireless node.
[0008] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an
apparatus of wireless communications by a first wireless node. The
apparatus generally includes means for obtaining, from a second
wireless node, a first frame with at least first and second
elements that each include at least a first field corresponding to
at least a first parameter being negotiated by the first wireless
node with the second wireless node for a first communication
session; means for determining a first range of values proposed by
the first wireless node for the first parameter based on a first
value of the first field in the first element and a second value of
the first field in the second element; means for generating a
second frame that indicates: an accepted value for the first
parameter selected from within the first range, a range of values
proposed by the second wireless node for the first parameter, or a
proposed value for the first parameter that is outside of the first
range; and means for outputting the second frame for transmission
to the second wireless node.
[0009] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an
apparatus of wireless communications by a first wireless node. The
apparatus generally includes a processing system configured to
generate a first frame with at least first and second elements that
each include at least a first field that corresponds to a first
parameter being negotiated by the first wireless node with a second
wireless node for a first communication session and indicate a
first range of values for the first parameter by setting the first
field to a first value in the first element and setting the first
field to a second value in the second element; and an interface
configured to output the first frame for transmission to the second
wireless node.
[0010] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an
apparatus of wireless communications by a first wireless node. The
apparatus generally includes an interface configured to obtain,
from a second wireless node, a first frame with at least first and
second elements that each include at least a first field
corresponding to at least a first parameter being negotiated by the
first wireless node with the second wireless node for a first
communication session; and a processing system configured to
determine a first range of values proposed by the first wireless
node for the first parameter based on a first value of the first
field in the first element and a second value of the first field in
the second element and generate a second frame that indicates an
accepted value for the first parameter selected from within the
first range, a range of values proposed by the second wireless node
for the first parameter, or a proposed value for the first
parameter that is outside of the first range, wherein the interface
is further configured to output the second frame for transmission
to the second wireless node.
[0011] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a first
wireless node. The first wireless node generally includes a
receiver to obtain, from a second wireless node, a first frame with
at least first and second elements that each include at least a
first field corresponding to at least a first parameter being
negotiated by the first wireless node with the second wireless node
for a first communication session; a processing system configured
to determine a first range of values proposed by the first wireless
node for the first parameter based on a first value of the first
field in the first element and a second value of the first field in
the second element and generate a second frame that indicates: an
accepted value for the first parameter selected from within the
first range, a range of values proposed by the second wireless node
for the first parameter, or a proposed value for the first
parameter that is outside of the first range; and a transmitter
configured to transmit the second frame to the second wireless
node.
[0012] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a first
wireless node. The first wireless node generally includes a
processing system configured to generate a first frame with at
least first and second elements that each include at least a first
field that corresponds to a first parameter being negotiated by the
first wireless node with a second wireless node for a first
communication session and indicate a first range of values for the
first parameter by setting the first field to a first value in the
first element and setting the first field to a second value in the
second element; and a transmitter configured to transmit the first
frame to the second wireless node.
[0013] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a
computer-readable medium for wireless communications. The
computer-readable medium generally includes codes executable to
generate a first frame with at least first and second elements that
each include at least a first field that corresponds to a first
parameter being negotiated by a first wireless node with a second
wireless node for a first communication session, indicate a first
range of values for the first parameter by setting the first field
to a first value in the first element and setting the first field
to a second value in the second element and output the first frame
for transmission to the second wireless node.
[0014] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a
computer-readable medium for wireless communications. The
computer-readable medium generally includes codes executable to
obtain, from a second wireless node, a first frame with at least
first and second elements that each include at least a first field
corresponding to at least a first parameter being negotiated by a
first wireless node with the second wireless node for a first
communication session; determine a first range of values proposed
by the first wireless node for the first parameter based on a first
value of the first field in the first element and a second value of
the first field in the second element; generate a second frame that
indicates: an accepted value for the first parameter selected from
within the first range, a range of values proposed by the second
wireless node for the first parameter, or a proposed value for the
first parameter that is outside of the first range; and output the
second frame for transmission to the second wireless node.
[0015] Aspects of the present disclosure also provide various
apparatus, means, and computer program products corresponding to
the methods and operations described above.
[0016] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully
described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following
description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain
illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features
are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which
the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this
description is intended to include all such aspects and their
equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] So that the manner in which the above-recited features of
the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more
particular description, briefly summarized above, may be had by
reference to aspects, some of which are illustrated in the appended
drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings
illustrate only certain typical aspects of this disclosure and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the
description may admit to other equally effective aspects.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example wireless communications
network, in accordance with certain aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example access point and
example user terminals, in accordance with certain aspects of the
present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates example operations for wireless
communications by a first wireless node (e.g., a requester), in
accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates example operations for wireless
communications by a second wireless node (e.g., a responder), in
accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate example negotiations where a requester
specifies a range of values for a negotiated parameter, in
accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates an example frame format for specifying a
range of values for a negotiated parameter, in accordance with
certain aspects of the present disclosure.
[0024] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals
have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements
that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements
disclosed in one aspect may be beneficially utilized on other
aspects without specific recitation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques
that may allow a device participating in a setup procedure to
efficiently propose a range of values for a negotiated parameter.
The techniques may reduce setup time, for example, allowing a
responder to accept a value within the proposed range which may
eliminate overhead associated with some of the back and forth
message exchange of typical negotiations.
[0026] Various aspects of the disclosure are described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This
disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and
should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or
function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these
aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and
complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to
those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein one skilled
in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is
intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein,
whether implemented independently of or combined with any other
aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be
implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the
aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure
is intended to cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced
using other structure, functionality, or structure and
functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of
the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any
aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or
more elements of a claim.
[0027] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as
"exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or
advantageous over other aspects.
[0028] Although particular aspects are described herein, many
variations and permutations of these aspects fall within the scope
of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of the
preferred aspects are mentioned, the scope of the disclosure is not
intended to be limited to particular benefits, uses, or objectives.
Rather, aspects of the disclosure are intended to be broadly
applicable to different wireless technologies, system
configurations, networks, and transmission protocols, some of which
are illustrated by way of example in the figures and in the
following description of the preferred aspects. The detailed
description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure
rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by
the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
[0029] The techniques described herein may be used for various
broadband wireless communication systems, including communication
systems that are based on an orthogonal multiplexing scheme.
Examples of such communication systems include Spatial Division
Multiple Access (SDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA),
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) systems,
Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA)
systems, and so forth. An SDMA system may utilize sufficiently
different directions to simultaneously transmit data belonging to
multiple user terminals. A TDMA system may allow multiple user
terminals to share the same frequency channel by dividing the
transmission signal into different time slots, each time slot being
assigned to different user terminal. An OFDMA system utilizes
orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), which is a
modulation technique that partitions the overall system bandwidth
into multiple orthogonal sub-carriers. These sub-carriers may also
be called tones, bins, etc. With OFDM, each sub-carrier may be
independently modulated with data. An SC-FDMA system may utilize
interleaved FDMA (IFDMA) to transmit on sub-carriers that are
distributed across the system bandwidth, localized FDMA (LFDMA) to
transmit on a block of adjacent sub-carriers, or enhanced FDMA
(EFDMA) to transmit on multiple blocks of adjacent sub-carriers. In
general, modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain with
OFDM and in the time domain with SC-FDMA. The techniques described
herein may be utilized in any type of applied to Single Carrier
(SC) and SC-MIMO systems.
[0030] The teachings herein may be incorporated into (e.g.,
implemented within or performed by) a variety of wired or wireless
apparatuses (e.g., nodes). In some aspects, a wireless node
implemented in accordance with the teachings herein may comprise an
access point or an access terminal.
[0031] An access point ("AP") may comprise, be implemented as, or
known as a Node B, a Radio Network Controller ("RNC"), an evolved
Node B (eNB), a Base Station Controller ("BSC"), a Base Transceiver
Station ("BTS"), a Base Station ("BS"), a Transceiver Function
("TF"), a Radio Router, a Radio Transceiver, a Basic Service Set
("BSS"), an Extended Service Set ("ESS"), a Radio Base Station
("RBS"), or some other terminology.
[0032] An access terminal ("AT") may comprise, be implemented as,
or known as a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, a mobile
station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a user terminal, a
user agent, a user device, user equipment, a user station, or some
other terminology. In some implementations, an access terminal may
comprise a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a Session
Initiation Protocol ("SIP") phone, a wireless local loop ("WLL")
station, a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), a handheld device
having wireless connection capability, a Station ("STA"), or some
other suitable processing device connected to a wireless modem
(such as an AR/VR console and headset). Accordingly, one or more
aspects taught herein may be incorporated into a phone (e.g., a
cellular phone or smart phone), a computer (e.g., a laptop), a
portable communication device, a portable computing device (e.g., a
personal data assistant), an entertainment device (e.g., a music or
video device, or a satellite radio), a global positioning system
device, or any other suitable device that is configured to
communicate via a wireless or wired medium. In some aspects, the
node is a wireless node. Such wireless node may provide, for
example, connectivity for or to a network (e.g., a wide area
network such as the Internet or a cellular network) via a wired or
wireless communication link.
Example Wireless Communication System
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an example multiple-access multiple-input
multiple-output (MIMO) system 100 (e.g., 802.11ad, 802.11ax,
802.11ay, 802.11az, 802.11be, LTE, or NR wireless communication
systems), in which aspects of the present disclosure may be
practices. For example, user terminals 120 and access points 110
may perform operations of FIGS. 3 and 4 (described in greater
detail below) to negotiate values for parameters used during a
communications session.
[0034] For simplicity, only one access point 110 is shown in FIG.
1. An access point is generally a fixed station that communicates
with the user terminals and may also be referred to as a base
station or some other terminology. A user terminal may be fixed or
mobile and may also be referred to as a mobile station, a wireless
device or some other terminology. Access point 110 may communicate
with one or more user terminals 120 at any given moment on the
downlink and uplink. The downlink (i.e., forward link) is the
communication link from the access point to the user terminals, and
the uplink (i.e., reverse link) is the communication link from the
user terminals to the access point. A user terminal may also
communicate peer-to-peer with another user terminal. A system
controller 130 couples to and provides coordination and control for
the access points. The term communication generally refers to
transmitting, receiving, or both. In the following description, the
subscript "dn" denotes the downlink, the subscript "up" denotes the
uplink, Nup user terminals are selected for simultaneous
transmission on the uplink, Ndn user terminals are selected for
simultaneous transmission on the downlink, Nup may or may not be
equal to Ndn, and Nup and Ndn may be static values or can change
for each scheduling interval. The beam-steering or some other
spatial processing technique may be used at the access point and
user terminal.
[0035] While portions of the following disclosure will describe
user terminals 120 capable of communicating via Spatial Division
Multiple Access (SDMA), for certain aspects, the user terminals 120
may also include some user terminals that do not support SDMA.
Thus, for such aspects, an access point (AP) 110 may be configured
to communicate with both SDMA and non-SDMA user terminals. This
approach may conveniently allow older versions of user terminals
("legacy" stations) to remain deployed in an enterprise, extending
their useful lifetime, while allowing newer SDMA user terminals to
be introduced as deemed appropriate.
[0036] The system 100 employs multiple transmit and multiple
receive antennas for data transmission on the downlink and uplink.
The access point 110 is equipped with N.sub.ap antennas and
represents the multiple-input (MI) for downlink transmissions and
the multiple-output (MO) for uplink transmissions. A set of K
selected user terminals 120 collectively represents the
multiple-output for downlink transmissions and the multiple-input
for uplink transmissions. For pure SDMA, it is desired to have
N.sub.ap.gtoreq.K.gtoreq.1 if the data symbol streams for the K
user terminals are not multiplexed in code, frequency or time by
some means. K may be greater than N.sub.ap if the data symbol
streams can be multiplexed using TDMA technique, different code
channels with CDMA, disjoint sets of subbands with OFDM, and so on.
Each selected user terminal transmits user-specific data to and/or
receives user-specific data from the access point. In general, each
selected user terminal may be equipped with one or multiple
antennas (i.e., N.sub.ut.gtoreq.1). The K selected user terminals
can have the same or different number of antennas.
[0037] The system 100 may be a time division duplex (TDD) system or
a frequency division duplex (FDD) system. For a TDD system, the
downlink and uplink share the same frequency band. For an FDD
system, the downlink and uplink use different frequency bands. MIMO
system 100 may also utilize a single carrier or multiple carriers
for transmission. Each user terminal may be equipped with a single
antenna (e.g., in order to keep costs down) or multiple antennas
(e.g., where the additional cost can be supported). The system 100
may also be a TDMA system if the user terminals 120 share the same
frequency channel by dividing transmission/reception into different
time slots, each time slot being assigned to different user
terminal 120.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of access point 110 and
two user terminals 120m and 120x in MIMO system 100, which may be
used to implement aspects of the present disclosure. For example,
antennas 252 and processors 260, 270, 288 and 290 of the UT 120
and/or antennas 224 and processors 210, 220, 240 and 242 of the AP
110 may be used to perform the various techniques and methods
described herein, such as the operations depicted in FIGS. 3 and
4.
[0039] The access point 110 is equipped with N.sub.t antennas 224a
through 224t. User terminal 120m is equipped with N.sub.ut,m
antennas 252ma through 252mu, and user terminal 120x is equipped
with N.sub.ut,x antennas 252xa through 252xu. The access point 110
is a transmitting entity for the downlink and a receiving entity
for the uplink. Each user terminal 120 is a transmitting entity for
the uplink and a receiving entity for the downlink. As used herein,
a "transmitting entity" is an independently operated apparatus or
device capable of transmitting data via a wireless channel, and a
"receiving entity" is an independently operated apparatus or device
capable of receiving data via a wireless channel. The term
communication generally refers to transmitting, receiving, or both.
In the following description, the subscript "dn" denotes the
downlink, the subscript "up" denotes the uplink, Nup user terminals
are selected for simultaneous transmission on the uplink, Ndn user
terminals are selected for simultaneous transmission on the
downlink, Nup may or may not be equal to Ndn, and Nup and Ndn may
be static values or can change for each scheduling interval. The
beam-steering or some other spatial processing technique may be
used at the access point and user terminal.
[0040] On the uplink, at each user terminal 120 selected for uplink
transmission, a TX data processor 288 receives traffic data from a
data source 286 and control data from a controller 280. TX data
processor 288 processes (e.g., encodes, interleaves, and modulates)
the traffic data for the user terminal based on the coding and
modulation schemes associated with the rate selected for the user
terminal and provides a data symbol stream. A TX spatial processor
290 performs spatial processing on the data symbol stream and
provides N.sub.ut,m transmit symbol streams for the N.sub.ut,m
antennas. Each transmitter unit (TMTR) 254 receives and processes
(e.g., converts to analog, amplifies, filters, and frequency
upconverts) a respective transmit symbol stream to generate an
uplink signal. N.sub.ut,m transmitter units 254 provide N.sub.ut,m
uplink signals for transmission from N.sub.ut,m antennas 252 to the
access point.
[0041] Nup user terminals may be scheduled for simultaneous
transmission on the uplink. Each of these user terminals performs
spatial processing on its data symbol stream and transmits its set
of transmit symbol streams on the uplink to the access point.
[0042] At access point 110, N.sub.ap antennas 224a through 224ap
receive the uplink signals from all Nup user terminals transmitting
on the uplink. Each antenna 224 provides a received signal to a
respective receiver unit (RCVR) 222. Each receiver unit 222
performs processing complementary to that performed by transmitter
unit 254 and provides a received symbol stream. An RX spatial
processor 240 performs receiver spatial processing on the N.sub.ap
received symbol streams from N.sub.ap receiver units 222 and
provides Nup recovered uplink data symbol streams. The receiver
spatial processing is performed in accordance with the channel
correlation matrix inversion (CCMI), minimum mean square error
(MMSE), soft interference cancellation (SIC), or some other
technique. Each recovered uplink data symbol stream is an estimate
of a data symbol stream transmitted by a respective user terminal.
An RX data processor 242 processes (e.g., demodulates,
deinterleaves, and decodes) each recovered uplink data symbol
stream in accordance with the rate used for that stream to obtain
decoded data. The decoded data for each user terminal may be
provided to a data sink 244 for storage and/or a controller 230 for
further processing.
[0043] On the downlink, at access point 110, a TX data processor
210 receives traffic data from a data source 208 for Ndn user
terminals scheduled for downlink transmission, control data from a
controller 230, and possibly other data from a scheduler 234. The
various types of data may be sent on different transport channels.
TX data processor 210 processes (e.g., encodes, interleaves, and
modulates) the traffic data for each user terminal based on the
rate selected for that user terminal. TX data processor 210
provides Ndn downlink data symbol streams for the Ndn user
terminals. A TX spatial processor 220 performs spatial processing
(such as a precoding or beamforming, as described in the present
disclosure) on the Ndn downlink data symbol streams, and provides
N.sub.ap transmit symbol streams for the N.sub.ap antennas. Each
transmitter unit 222 receives and processes a respective transmit
symbol stream to generate a downlink signal. N.sub.ap transmitter
units 222 providing N.sub.ap downlink signals for transmission from
N.sub.ap antennas 224 to the user terminals.
[0044] At each user terminal 120, antennas 252 receive the N.sub.ap
downlink signals from access point 110. Each receiver unit 254
processes a received signal from an associated antenna 252 and
provides a received symbol stream. An RX spatial processor 260
performs receiver spatial processing on N.sub.ut,m received symbol
streams from N.sub.ut,m receiver units 254 and provides a recovered
downlink data symbol stream for the user terminal. The receiver
spatial processing is performed in accordance with the CCMI, MMSE
or some other technique. An RX data processor 270 processes (e.g.,
demodulates, deinterleaves and decodes) the recovered downlink data
symbol stream to obtain decoded data for the user terminal.
[0045] At each user terminal 120, a channel estimator 278 estimates
the downlink channel response and provides downlink channel
estimates, which may include channel gain estimates, SNR estimates,
noise variance and so on. Similarly, a channel estimator 228
estimates the uplink channel response and provides uplink channel
estimates. Controller 280 for each user terminal typically derives
the spatial filter matrix for the user terminal based on the
downlink channel response matrix H.sub.dn,m for that user terminal.
Controller 230 derives the spatial filter matrix for the access
point based on the effective uplink channel response matrix
H.sub.up,eff. Controller 280 for each user terminal may send
feedback information (e.g., the downlink and/or uplink
eigenvectors, eigenvalues, SNR estimates, and so on) to the access
point. Controllers 230 and 280 also control the operation of
various processing units at access point 110 and user terminal 120,
respectively.
Example Flexible Negotiation of Parameters in Setup Exchanges
[0046] Currently in typical wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi) networks,
devices negotiate values for the various parameters related to
setup of communications sessions and operation. Unfortunately,
there is currently no efficient mechanism to enable the devices to
select from a range of values for one or more parameters pertaining
to a particular session or mechanism. As a result, the devices
typically exchange messages back and forth until a particular
proposed value is agreed upon, resulting in substantial system
overhead. Alternatively the session may be rejected or the
parameter may be dictated by the responder.
[0047] Aspects of the present disclosure, however, provide
techniques that enable devices to specify and select from a range
of values, which may help eliminate much of the aforementioned
overhead associated with typical negotiations. As will be described
in greater detail below, a first wireless node (e.g., a requester
STA) may include multiple elements, for example, of a same type in
frames (e.g., MGMT frames) that they transmit to a second wireless
node as part of a setup phase to indicate a range of values for one
or more of the parameters being negotiated. In some cases, such
frames may include different values to propose ranges for multiple
fields. The second wireless node (e.g., the responder) can choose a
value for a parameter that falls within the range indicated by the
requester STA.
[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates example operations 300 for wireless
communications by a first wireless node, in accordance with certain
aspects of the present disclosure. Operations 300 may be performed,
for example, by a requester (non-AP) STA negotiating parameters for
a communication session with a second wireless node (e.g., a
responder AP).
[0049] Operations begin, at 302, by generating a first frame with
at least first and second elements that each include at least a
first field that corresponds to a first parameter being negotiated
by the first wireless node with a second wireless node for a first
communication session. Examples of parameters that may be
negotiated include a target wakeup time (TWT) negotiated during a
TWT setup exchange, as well as minimum wake duration, triggered
TWT, announced TWT, channel of operation (SST), and the like.
However, the techniques described herein may be used to efficiently
negotiate a variety of different parameters (e.g., during a number
of different types of setup exchanges).
[0050] At 304, the first wireless node indicates a first range of
values for the first parameter by setting the first field to a
first value in the first element and setting the first field to a
second value in the second element. At 306, the first wireless node
outputs the first frame for transmission to the second wireless
node.
[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates example operations 400 for wireless
communications by a second wireless node, in accordance with
certain aspects of the present disclosure. Operations 400 may be
performed, for example, by a responder STA negotiating parameters
for a communication session with a (non-AP) STA performing
operations 300 of FIG. 3.
[0052] Operations 400 begin, at 402, by obtaining, from a second
wireless node, a first frame with at least first and second
elements (or fields) that each include at least a first field
corresponding to at least a first parameter being negotiated by the
first wireless node with the second wireless node for a first
communication session.
[0053] At 404, the second wireless node determines a first range of
values proposed by the first wireless node for the first parameter
based on a first value of the first field in the first element and
a second value of the first field in the second element.
[0054] At 406, the second wireless node generates a second frame
that indicates: an accepted value for the first parameter selected
from within the first range, a range of values proposed by the
second wireless node for the first parameter, or a proposed value
for the first parameter that is outside of the first range. In
other words, the responder may simply select a value from within
the first range (which may be considered an acceptance), may
propose a second range different than the range specified in the
request (which may be considered a counterproposal, for example, if
none of the values within the first range are acceptable by the
responder).
[0055] At 408, the second wireless node outputs the second frame
for transmission to the second wireless node.
[0056] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate example negotiations where a requester
specifies a range of values for a negotiated parameter, in
accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.
[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a requester (e.g., a non-AP STA)
may send a setup frame, proposing a range of values for a parameter
by setting the same field in different elements to different values
(e.g., min and max). The responder (e.g., an AP) interprets the
different values for the same field (in different elements) to
indicate a range. In this example, accepts a value in the range and
indicates the accepted value in a response frame (which may have
only one element or only one field for the particular
parameter).
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 6, in some cases, a responder may
propose a new range (different than the range proposed by the
requester). By providing a new range, the responder may indicate a
narrower (preferred range) or may indicate a range that includes
values the requester may not have known were supported. In such
cases, the requester may accept a value from within the range
proposed by the responder and provide this value in a subsequent
request.
[0059] In some cases, an AP may advertise (e.g., via a broadcast
message) various ranges that are supported so that the STA
(wireless device) can know in advance what are acceptable ranges
for the AP. In such cases, the range proposed by a requester may be
selected based on this advertised ranges.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in addition (or as an alternative)
to proposing a range of values for a parameter, a requester may
also indicate a non-negotiable value. In this example, the
requester indicates range for a first parameter, but indicates a
value for a second parameter is non-negotiable by setting the value
for a corresponding field (Field 2) to a same value X in both
elements (Element 1 and Element 2). The responder interprets the
same value of X for Field 2 in both elements as indicating a
non-negotiable value. As illustrated, the responder may accept a
value within the proposed range for Field 1, and may simply accept
the non-negotiable value X for Field 2.
[0061] Different frame formats may be used to efficiently negotiate
parameters for a variety of different types of communications
sessions and for different types of mechanisms, in accordance with
certain aspects of the present disclosure.
[0062] FIG. 8 illustrates an example format for a TWT setup frame
that allows for specifying a range of values for a negotiated
parameter, in accordance with certain aspects of the present
disclosure. A conventional TWT request can provide only a (single)
value for each TWT parameter. However, the frame format of FIG. 5
provides the ability to specify a range of values from which the
STA can chose to select the TWT parameters.
[0063] The TWT Setup frame generally refers to an Action frame that
is sent by a STA to request the setup of a TWT session. TWTs are
generally used to help minimize contention between clients and
reduce the amount of time a client in power save mode needs to be
awake. By requesting a particular TWT, a STA may not need to wake
up to read a beacon frame, which may result in power savings.
[0064] As illustrated, the frame format shown in FIG. 5 may allow
for multiple TWT elements allowing a requesting STA to specify a
range of values. For example, the station may indicate a range (of
proposed TWTs) by setting a TWT field in a first TWT element to a
minimum value and setting a TWT field in a second TWT element to a
maximum value and a maximum value.
[0065] The same type of frame (as shown in FIG. 5) may also be sent
by a responding STA to indicate the status of a requested TWT SP.
In some cases, the response frame may include a single TWT element
indicating an accepted value from within the range indicated in the
request (e.g., min.ltoreq.accepted_value.ltoreq.max). In other
cases, the response frame may include multiple TWT elements,
indicating a different range than what was proposed in the request
(which may or may not overlap with the range specified by the
requester and may be wider or narrower than the range specified by
the requester).
[0066] In some cases, certain fields of a TWT setup frame may be
set to certain values during a negotiation. For example, a TWT
Setup frame with a TWT Request field that is equal to 1, the Dialog
Token field is set to a nonzero value chosen by the transmitting
STA to identify the request/response transaction. In a TWT Setup
frame with a TWT Request field equal to 0 that is sent in response
to a TWT Setup frame with a TWT Request field that is equal to 1,
the Dialog Token field is set to the value copied from the
corresponding received TWT Setup frame with a TWT Request field
equal to 1. In a TWT Setup frame with a TWT Request field set to 0
that is not sent in response to a TWT Setup frame with a TWT
Request field equal to 1, the Dialog Token field is set to 0.
[0067] In some cases, one or more TWT elements are present in a TWT
Setup frame with a TWT Request field that is equal to 1. One TWT
element is present in a TWT Setup frame with a TWT Request field
that is equal to 0. If more than one TWT element is present then
the first TWT element contains the requested TWT parameters, and
the multiple TWT elements provide a range, between a minimum and a
maximum value, of TWT parameters, from which the TWT responder can
choose if the requested TWT parameters cannot be satisfied.
[0068] In some cases, the mechanism described herein may be
generalized to negotiate parameters for multiple communications
sessions. For example, one TWT Setup frame may be used to negotiate
parameters for multiple TWT Sessions (e.g., provided multiple TWT
elements are supported at both sides and certain rules may be
implemented regarding TWT Flow IDs used to identify the different
sessions).
[0069] The use of a TWT setup frame with multiple TWT elements is
just one example of how the mechanism proposed herein may be used
to efficiently negotiate values for parameters for various types of
sessions and mechanisms.
[0070] For example, different types of (management) frames may be
defined for different setups that include multiple elements of
different types, such as multiple traffic classification (TCLAS)
elements, traffic specification (TSPEC) elements, Power Capability
elements, wake-up radio (WUR) Mode elements, opportunistic power
save (OPS) elements, SST operation elements, Subchannel Selective
Transmission (SST) elements, and/or EL operation elements. The
mechanisms proposed herein may allow a requesting STA to propose a
range of values for parameters carried in such elements.
[0071] A TCLAS element generally specifies an information element
that contains a set of parameters necessary to identify incoming
MSDUs (from a higher layer in all STAs or from the distribution
(DS) in an AP) with a particular traffic stream (TS) to which they
belong. A TSPEC element from client generally includes parameters
such as data rate, packet size, and number of streams. A Power
Capability information element may allow a station to report its
minimum and maximum transmit power (e.g., in integer units of
dBm).
[0072] Wake-up Radio (WuR) mechanisms are typically used to reduce
the significant energy waste that wireless devices cause during
their idle communication mode. WUR setup typically begins when a
STA transmits a request frame containing various duty cycle
parameters (On Duration, Duty Cycle Period). The mechanism provided
herein may allow a requesting STA to propose a range of values for
such parameters.
[0073] The previous description is provided to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described
herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles
defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims
are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is
to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims,
wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to
mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather
"one or more." Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term
"some" refers to one or more. All structural and functional
equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described
throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known
to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated
herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the
claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be
dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be
construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth
paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase
"means for" or, in the case of a method claim, the element is
recited using the phrase "step for."
[0074] The various operations of methods described above may be
performed by any suitable means capable of performing the
corresponding functions. The means may include various hardware
and/or software component(s) and/or module(s), including, but not
limited to a circuit, an application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC), or processor. Generally, where there are operations
illustrated in figures, those operations may have corresponding
counterpart means-plus-function components.
[0075] As used herein, the term "determining" encompasses a wide
variety of actions. For example, "determining" may include
calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating,
looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data
structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" may
include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g.,
accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, "determining" may
include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and the
like.
[0076] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a
list of items refers to any combination of those items, including
single members. As an example, "at least one of: a, b, or c" is
intended to cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as
combinations that include multiples of one or more members (aa, bb,
and/or cc).
[0077] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules and
circuits described in connection with the present disclosure may be
implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a
digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other
programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed
to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose
processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the
processor may be any commercially available processor, controller,
microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be
implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0078] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection
with the present disclosure may be embodied directly in hardware,
in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination
of the two. A software module may reside in any form of storage
medium that is known in the art. Some examples of storage media
that may be used include random access memory (RAM), read only
memory (ROM), flash memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers,
a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM and so forth. A software
module may comprise a single instruction, or many instructions, and
may be distributed over several different code segments, among
different programs, and across multiple storage media. A storage
medium may be coupled to a processor such that the processor can
read information from, and write information to, the storage
medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to
the processor.
[0079] The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or
actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or
actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from
the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of
steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific
steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the
scope of the claims.
[0080] Means for receiving or means for obtaining may include a
receiver (such as the receiver unit 222) or an antenna(s) 224 of
the access point 110 or the receiver unit 254 or antenna(s) 252 of
the station 120 illustrated in FIG. 2. Means for transmitting or
means for outputting may include a transmitter (such as the
transmitter unit 222) or an antenna(s) 224 of the access point 110
or the transmitter unit 254 or antenna(s) 252 of the station 120
illustrated in FIG. 2. Means for generating, means for indicating,
means for determining, means for participating and means for
selecting may include a processing system, which may include one or
more processors, such as the RX data processor 242, the TX data
processor 210, the TX spatial processor 220, RX spatial processor
240, or the controller 230 of the access point 110 or the RX data
processor 270, the TX data processor 288, the TX spatial processor
290, RX spatial processor 260, or the controller 280 of the station
120 illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0081] In some cases, rather than actually transmitting a frame a
device may have an interface to output a frame for transmission (a
means for outputting). For example, a processor may output a frame,
via a bus interface, to a radio frequency (RF) front end for
transmission. Similarly, rather than actually receiving a frame, a
device may have an interface to obtain a frame received from
another device (a means for obtaining). For example, a processor
may obtain (or receive) a frame, via a bus interface, from an RF
front end for reception.
[0082] The functions described may be implemented in hardware,
software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in
hardware, an example hardware configuration may comprise a
processing system in a wireless node. The processing system may be
implemented with a bus architecture. The bus may include any number
of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific
application of the processing system and the overall design
constraints. The bus may link together various circuits including a
processor, machine-readable media, and a bus interface. The bus
interface may be used to connect a network adapter, among other
things, to the processing system via the bus. The network adapter
may be used to implement the signal processing functions of the PHY
layer. In the case of a user terminal 120 (see FIG. 1), a user
interface (e.g., keypad, display, mouse, joystick, etc.) may also
be connected to the bus. The bus may also link various other
circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators,
power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in
the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.
[0083] The processor may be responsible for managing the bus and
general processing, including the execution of software stored on
the machine-readable media. The processor may be implemented with
one or more general-purpose and/or special-purpose processors.
Examples include microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSP processors,
and other circuitry that can execute software. Software shall be
construed broadly to mean instructions, data, or any combination
thereof, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware,
microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.
Machine-readable media may include, by way of example, RAM (Random
Access Memory), flash memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), PROM
(Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable
Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable
Read-Only Memory), registers, magnetic disks, optical disks, hard
drives, or any other suitable storage medium, or any combination
thereof. The machine-readable media may be embodied in a
computer-program product. The computer-program product may comprise
packaging materials.
[0084] In a hardware implementation, the machine-readable media may
be part of the processing system separate from the processor.
However, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the
machine-readable media, or any portion thereof, may be external to
the processing system. By way of example, the machine-readable
media may include a transmission line, a carrier wave modulated by
data, and/or a computer product separate from the wireless node,
all which may be accessed by the processor through the bus
interface. Alternatively, or in addition, the machine-readable
media, or any portion thereof, may be integrated into the
processor, such as the case may be with cache and/or general
register files.
[0085] The processing system may be configured as a general-purpose
processing system with one or more microprocessors providing the
processor functionality and external memory providing at least a
portion of the machine-readable media, all linked together with
other supporting circuitry through an external bus architecture.
Alternatively, the processing system may be implemented with an
ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) with the processor,
the bus interface, the user interface in the case of an access
terminal), supporting circuitry, and at least a portion of the
machine-readable media integrated into a single chip, or with one
or more FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable
Logic Devices), controllers, state machines, gated logic, discrete
hardware components, or any other suitable circuitry, or any
combination of circuits that can perform the various functionality
described throughout this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will
recognize how best to implement the described functionality for the
processing system depending on the particular application and the
overall design constraints imposed on the overall system.
[0086] The machine-readable media may comprise a number of software
modules. The software modules include instructions that, when
executed by the processor, cause the processing system to perform
various functions. The software modules may include a transmission
module and a receiving module. Each software module may reside in a
single storage device or be distributed across multiple storage
devices. By way of example, a software module may be loaded into
RAM from a hard drive when a triggering event occurs. During
execution of the software module, the processor may load some of
the instructions into cache to increase access speed. One or more
cache lines may then be loaded into a general register file for
execution by the processor. When referring to the functionality of
a software module below, it will be understood that such
functionality is implemented by the processor when executing
instructions from that software module.
[0087] If implemented in software, the functions may be stored or
transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a
computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include both
computer storage media and communication media including any medium
that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to
another. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be
accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such
computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or
other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or
store desired program code in the form of instructions or data
structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any
connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For
example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or
other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,
twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless
technologies such as infrared (IR), radio, and microwave, then the
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless
technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in
the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include
compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc
(DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray.RTM. disc where disks usually
reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically
with lasers. Thus, in some aspects computer-readable media may
comprise non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., tangible
media). In addition, for other aspects computer-readable media may
comprise transitory computer-readable media (e.g., a signal).
Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope
of computer-readable media.
[0088] Thus, certain aspects may comprise a computer program
product for performing the operations presented herein. For
example, such a computer program product may comprise a
computer-readable medium having instructions stored (and/or
encoded) thereon, the instructions being executable by one or more
processors to perform the operations described herein. For certain
aspects, the computer program product may include packaging
material.
[0089] Further, it should be appreciated that modules and/or other
appropriate means for performing the methods and techniques
described herein can be downloaded and/or otherwise obtained by a
user terminal and/or base station as applicable. For example, such
a device can be coupled to a server to facilitate the transfer of
means for performing the methods described herein. Alternatively,
various methods described herein can be provided via storage means
(e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage medium such as a compact disc
(CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that a user terminal and/or base
station can obtain the various methods upon coupling or providing
the storage means to the device. Moreover, any other suitable
technique for providing the methods and techniques described herein
to a device can be utilized.
[0090] It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to
the precise configuration and components illustrated above. Various
modifications, changes and variations may be made in the
arrangement, operation and details of the methods and apparatus
described above without departing from the scope of the claims.
* * * * *